NSW Government has introduced changes to the Environmental Planning and Assessment Amendment (Fire Safety and Building Certification) Regulation 2017 to improve fire safety in new and existing buildings. The amendments came into effect on Sunday 1 October 2017. Some of the new requirements that have come into effect will apply immediately, whereas others will only apply to future building approvals. These changes – which are outlined in the Competent Fire Safety Practitioners discussion paper produced by NSW Department of Planning and Environment – require the involvement of competent fire safety practitioners to carry out specific fire safety functions. Building certifiers also have a role to play in this process.

Below is a list of the amending regulation changes:

1. Replacement of suitably qualified person with ‘competent fire safety practitioner” (defined term) as a new role.
2. Plans and details being submitted for certain fire protection system work (defined term in the amended Regulation 2017) for class 2 to 9 buildings.
3. New limitation exemptions with regards to BCA compliance for fire protection system work.
4. New critical stage inspections for buildings of class 2 and 3.
5. New required inspections by Fire and Rescue NSW of fire safety systems for buildings of class 2 and 3.
6. Documenting, endorsing and checking non-standard fire safety designs (alternate solutions) for buildings of class 1b to 9.
7. Fire safety statement assessment requirements.
8. Standardising fire safety certificates and statements. (The amending regulation aims to create greater consistency in terms of content and presentation of fire safety certificate and statement forms). 

  

Links to Information and Amended Regulation 2017

• Building Regulation and Reform
• Department of Planning & Environment Planning Circular
• Fact Sheet for Building Owners
• Changes to the Environmental Planning & Assessment Regulation